# Smriti Mandhana declared as RCB’s captain for WPL 2023

URL: https://technosports.co.in/smriti-mandhana-rcbs-captain-for-wpl-2023/  
Published: 2023-02-18  
Updated: 2023-02-18  
Author: Raunak Saha

Not so surprisingly, [RCB](https://technosports.co.in/tag/royal-challengers-bangalore/)and the whole WPL 2023’s richest asset [Smriti Mandhana](https://technosports.co.in/tag/smriti-mandhana/) has been announced as the new caption of [Royal Challengers Bangalore](https://www.royalchallengers.com/).

The left-handed India batter Smriti Mandhana was signed in the recent auction held in Mumbai for INR 3.40 crore, the [highest price for a player in the WPL auction](https://technosports.co.in/smriti-mandhana-most-expensive-player-wpl/). 

## Smriti Mandhana is the new RCD captain for the upcoming WPL 2023

**On announcing Smriti Mandhana as the captain, Prathmesh Mishra, Chairman RCB, said: ***“Smriti is central to our Play Bold philosophy and cricketing plans. We have handed her the leadership role, and we are confident that Smriti will lead RCB into greater heights.”*

**On her role as the RCB women’s team captain, Smriti Mandhana said:*** “It is such a great feeling to see Virat and Faf to speak so much about leading RCB and I would like to thank RCB management for giving me this amazing opportunity. I am looking forward to receiving all the love and support from you fans who I am told are the best in the World. I promise you to give my 100% to lead RCB to success in WPL”*

> From one No. 18 to another, from one skipper to another, Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis announce RCB’s captain for the Women’s Premier League – Smriti Mandhana. [#PlayBold](https://twitter.com/hashtag/PlayBold?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#WPL2023](https://twitter.com/hashtag/WPL2023?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#CaptainSmriti](https://twitter.com/hashtag/CaptainSmriti?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@mandhana_smriti](https://twitter.com/mandhana_smriti?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/sqmKnJePPu](https://t.co/sqmKnJePPu)
>
> — Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) [February 18, 2023](https://twitter.com/RCBTweets/status/1626787326990090240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

[Smriti Mandhana](https://technosports.co.in/tag/smriti-mandhana/) is a premier batter in women’s cricket and has made a massive impact in the T20 format over the last decade. An opener, Smriti has made 2661 runs from 113 WT20Is, averaging 27.15 and with a strike rate of 123.19. 

**Faf du Plessis, the RCB men’s team captain, welcomed women to the Play Bold fold, and said:** *“It’s been a great couple of months for RCB, firstly getting a Women’s Cricket team and then assembling a really strong team. I am very confident that our Women’s team Captain have all the attributes to lead RCB. All the very best Smriti Mandhana, see you at the games.”*

![Smriti Mandhana](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fo1i_lJagAEkNO5-1024x1024.jpg)
*Join us in welcoming the first Royal Challenger, Smriti Mandhana! 😍 Welcome to RCB 🔥 #PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #WPL2023 #WPLAuction . Image Credits : Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets on Twitter )*

**Virat Kohli, the former RCB captain whose association with the team began 16 seasons ago, welcomed Smriti Mandhana into the red and gold fold said:*** “A Captain isn’t just a leader of the group but he is someone who creates a culture and carries the legacy forward by earning the respect of everyone around him. Faf did a tremendous job by helping everyone grow and excel under his leadership. I thoroughly enjoyed my time playing under him. Now it is time for another No 18 to lead a very special RCB Team in the Women’s Premier League. Go well Smriti (Mandhana); you will have the support of the best team and the best fans in the world.*

Smriti has also been a much-sought-after player in the T20 circuit, making appearances for Brisbane Heat, Sydney Thunder (Women’s BBL), Western Storm (Kia Super League) and Southern Brave (The Hundred). Smriti is also a highly decorated player, recently winning the ICC Women Cricketer Of The Year, for scoring 855 runs in 22 matches in 2021. She is also an Arjuna Award winner in 2018.